Struggling World Chess Champion Ding Liren Opens Up About Mental Health and Motivation Challenges

World Chess Champion Ding Liren is facing a challenging time at the Norway Chess tournament in Stavanger. With zero classical wins in eight rounds, Ding finds himself at the bottom of the standings with two rounds remaining. In an interview, Ding expressed his struggles and considered withdrawing from the tournament after four consecutive losses.

Since winning the World Championship last year, Ding has been battling depression and seeking treatment. Despite concerns from colleagues about his performance, Ding remains humble and kind-hearted. He acknowledges that he is currently the ‘worst version’ of himself but is determined to improve.

Although Ding had a promising position in his recent match against Fabiano Caruana, he ended up settling for a draw. He admits that his openings are not as strong as his opponents, leading to surprises during games. Despite dropping out of the top 10 in live ratings, Ding is focused on stopping the decline and regaining his competitive edge.

Reflecting on his emotional struggles after winning the World Championship, Ding emphasizes the importance of seeking help and taking medication to stabilize his mental health. Looking ahead to the year-end World Championship against D Gukesh, Ding plans to start preparing once he returns to China.

Ding admits that winning the world title has dampened his motivation for the game, but he is determined to reset and get back to winning mode. Drawing inspiration from footballer Federico Chiesa’s recovery from injuries, Ding is hopeful for his own journey to recovery in chess.

As Ding navigates through his challenges, he remains optimistic about his future in the game and is determined to overcome his current struggles.